Step



S. P. BARKSDALE.

STEP.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 17. 1919.

Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

UNITED STATEtd ATENT GFFIOE.

SHEROD P. BARKSDALE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

Application filed March 17, 1919.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, SHEROD 1. Banne- DALE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new 'and useful sembled or knocked down; any of the sec-' tions being adapted to be quickly replaced in case of injury thereto.

Another object of the invention, is to provide a stoop or step of this character that has the sections formed of plastic blocks of the hereinafter describednovel construc-- tion; permitting the sections to be very economically manufactured, and materially reducing the cost of construction of a structural element of this type.

A further object of the invention is to provide a plastic stoop or step of this character, which is easily and simply constructed, and inasmuch as the various sections are durable and portable, they may be made stock articles, and can be assembled without theuse of skilled labor, or thetemployment of the ordinary forms. Y

\Vith these and numerous other objects in view, my invention consists of the novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, which will be herein referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1, is aperspective view of the door stoop or step.

Fig. 2, is a transverse vertical sectional view.

Fig. 3, is a longitudinal vertical sectional. view taken through the upper section.

Fig. 4, is a top perspective view of one of the sections, and,

Fig. 5, is a bottom perspective view of a step section.

In the accompanying drawings, similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and the letter A designates the door stoop or step as an entirety in assembled position. The form here illustrated is provided with Specification of Letters Patent.

. except at the front P tented Serial No. 283,123.

four step sections designated 1, 2, 3, and 4,

but it is obvious that any number of sections may be provided according to the height of the stoop or step desired.

Each of the step sections is formed of a hollow plastic block, and they are substantially alike in construction, varying only in size, except the top section a, so for the sake of brevity I will only specifically describe one of the lower sections.

The hollow plastic block from which the section is formed is provided with side walls 5, a rear wail 6, and a front wall or riser 7; the top and bottom of the block being open where an integral tread portion extends across, connecting the front and adjacent side edges of the block at the top. '5 he front portions of the side walls 5, are oil'set as shown at 9, while the tread is provided with the usual projecting nose or flange 10, and molding 11.

The upper edges of the side walls, and rear wall of the block have longitudinally extended ton mes 12, and 18 formed there.

on, the inner sides of the tongues 12, of the side walls, being disposed in a single vertical plane with the inner face of the adjacent wall for a purpose to be herein set forth. In the lower edges of the side walls and rear wall of the block are longitudinally extended grdoves 14, and 15, which are adapted to receive the tongues of the block beneath when the sections are assembled. The lower inner edges of the sides of the blocks are oflset or shouldered shown at 16, to form a firm foundation when the block is used as the base block, and consequently the grooves 14, in said lower side edges are moved off the vertical center line of the sides and will receive the tongues 12, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, when the stoop is assembled.

The to section 4, of the stoop or steps, has the tread portion 8, entirely covering the same, as there is no necessity for further tongues on the upper edge, and this section is as wide as vthe tread portion of the other sections. The outer sides of the lower sec-- tions, are preferably grooved at 17, to imitate stone blocks, but any desired ornamentation may be employed.

When assembled, as shown in F igs. 1 to 3, the various sections or plastic blocks will be disposed in superposed relation with the largest forming the base, and the rear and side walls of said sections positioned in vertical alinement. The sections are held togoth-er against longitudinal or transverse creeping by the cooperatively engaged grooves larger than the tongues so mortar or plaster of Paris 18 can be interposed therebetween to insure a snug and positive grip.

The various sections of this stoop or step are made of plastic-blocks, preferably concrete, and they may be made up ,in stock sizes, and transported to the desired place and the stoop assembled without the employment of skilled labor. As all the block sections are detachably connected it is obvious that any section may be easily replaced in event of injury, also the number of sections may be increased .or diminished at will to vary the size of the stoop.

I claim:

1. A stoop of the class described comprising a plurality of different sized superposed step, sections with the largest forming the base, each section being formed of a hollow plastic block having an open top and bottom,

and treads across the exposed upper edges of the sections and formed integral therewith,

I said treads partially covering the open top of the sections.

block having an open top and bottom, treads across the exposed upper edges of the sec- .tions integral therewith, said treads partially covering the open top of the sections,

and means for detachably connecting the sections.

3. A stoop of the class described comprising a plurality of different sized superposed step sectionswith the largest forming the base, each section being formed of a hollow block having an open top and bottom, integral treads across the exposed upper edges of the sections, said treads partially covering the open top of the sections, and the adjacent edges of said sections having coacting tongues and grooves to detachably lock the sections in assembled position.

4. An article of manufacture comprising a plastic step formedof a hollow block having. an open top and bottom, a tread portion extending across the block and connecting the front and adjacent portion of the sides at the top thereof, said tread partially covering the open top of the block, and said tread being formed integral with the block.

5. An article of manufacture comprising a plastic step formed of a hollow block having an open top and bottom, an integral tread portion extending across the block and connecting the front and adjacent portion of the sides at the top thereof, said tread partially covering the open top of the block, offset shouldered portions on the lower inner side edges of said block, and the top and bottom edges thereof having tongues and grooves formed thereon.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature. SHEROD r. BAR-KSDALE. I 

